Sheikh Mohammed is an infrequent visitor to British racecourses these days as he deals with affairs of state in Dubai, but not quite as rare a sight as his original maroon-and-white colours, which sent a ripple of nostalgia around Town Moor as they were led into the top enclosure aboard Casamento after the Racing Post Trophy here.

It was the briefest of throwbacks, though, as Casamento, who gave the Irish trainer Michael Halford the first Group One winner of his career, will be carrying the royal blue of Godolphin when he is next seen in public, possibly in the 2,000 Guineas at Newmarket in the spring. He is generally a 10-1 chance for the Classic, and a couple of points longer for the Derby, which seems to put Godolphin in a strong position for next year, since their filly White Moonstone is favourite for the 1,000 Guineas and Oaks.

Casamento looked outstanding in the paddock before today's race, his gleaming coat a reminder of warmer summer days among racegoers, and opponents, who were snug in their winter coats. But there was also a physical presence about Casamento, too, that promised much for his three-year-old career, something that Frankie Dettori, his jockey, sensed immediately when he was legged up into his saddle for the first time.

"As soon I got on him I could feel that he had a good body and is a strong physical horse," Dettori said. "Watching on the television and getting on a horse are two different things, and he feels like quality. He's a three-year-old, and a lovely big‑striding horse.

"I knew from watching his videos that he would stay, so from two and a half out I thought: 'Let's get him going.' He was out in the middle of track on his own and he was idling on me, so when Seville [the runner-up] came at me, that was helping me."

Halford must now say goodbye to Casamento, but knows that the son of Shamardal, who arrived at the yard almost out of the blue, has taken his training career to a new level.

"We just got a fax last year from the Darley office [Sheikh Mohammed's breeding operation] asking if we'd like to train two colts, and it didn't take too long to reply," Halford said. "It's been a pleasure and a privilege to have him, and we're more than happy. Who knows what else might be coming down the line."

Casamento is now the second-favourite for the 2,000 Guineas, though to win that Classic it is likely he will need to beat Frankel, the Dewhurst Stakes winner, whose official status as the champion two-year-old now seems secure after Klammer, many lengths behind Frankel in the Royal Lodge Stakes at Ascot last month, took the Horris Hill Stakes at Newbury this afternoon.

In terms of the Derby, meanwhile, Dettori would commit only to Casamento getting a mile and a quarter next season and while the colt's dam, Wedding Gift, was fifth in the French Oaks over 11 furlongs, she did not win at further than a mile. It must be at least possible that he will just lack the speed for the Guineas and want for stamina in the Derby.

Clowance, second in the Irish St Leger last season, advertised Roger Charlton's abilities as a trainer when she took the St Simon Stakes at Newbury on her first start since a disappointing run in the spring. The victory was a reminder too that Richard Hughes has not abandoned his pursuit of Paul Hanagan in the race for the jockeys' championship, as he brought Clowance with a smooth, decisive run despite briefly struggling for room a quarter of a mile out.

The most popular success of the day came at Aintree, where the frontrunning grey 12-year-old Monet's Garden held off every challenge to record his fifth win at the track, and 17th over jumps.

The winner, a 4-1 chance, jumped superbly throughout while Tartak, the 15-8 favourite, made several mistakes. Monet's Garden was never clear of his pursuers, Poquelin in particular, but he rarely looked likely to concede the lead and he jumped the last with a flourish to secure victory.

Silviniaco Conti, a recent import from France, maintained an unbeaten record for Paul Nicholls with a comfortable success in the Persian War Novice Hurdle at Chepstow.

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